Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party voiced its concerns following media reports of 500 wild finches dying while being kept at the quarantine section as court evidence related to smuggling of same birds from Italy.

Simon Galea, spokesperson for Animal Welfare & Agricuture, said ‘Such incidents are unacceptable and AD calls upon the relevant authorities, particularly Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights Roderick Galdes, to conduct an investigation. Adequate facilities together with properly trained personnel are top priority which can only be attained through upgrading of present quarantine section plus the recruitment of qualified personnel and the training of present staff. Whilst understanding space limitations, animal welfare must always be respected and housing birds in such crammed conditions is definitely unthinkable. When space does not permit proper housing due to large numbers involved, confiscated birds should either be released with photos kept as evidence or else housed at private aviaries against payment, with expenses to be borne by the culprit.’

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Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party uriet it-tħassib tagħha wara rapporti fil-media dwar 500 sponsun salvaġġ li mietu waqt li kienu qegħdin jinżammu fit-taqsima tal-kwarantina bħala evidenza tal-qorti b’rabta ma kas ta’ kuntrabandu ta’ dawn l-għasafar mill-Italja.

Simon Galea, kelliem għall-Ħarsien tal-Annimali u l-Agrikoltura, qal: ‘Dawn l-inċidenti huma inaċċettabbli u AD issejjaħ lill-awtoritajiet konċernati, speċjalment is-Segretarju Parlamentari għall-Agrikoltura, Sajd u Drittijiet tal-Annimali, Roderick Galdes biex jiftaħ investigazzjoni. Faċilitajiet adekwati flimkien ma ħaddiema mħarrġa sew huma priorita` li tista’ tintleħaq biss jekk it-taqsima eżistenti tal-kwarantina tkun irranġata kif ukoll l-ingaġġ ta’ aktar ħaddiema kwalifikati u t-taħriġ ta’ dawk li diġa jaħdmu hemm. Filwaqt li nifhmu li jista’ jkun hemm limitazzjoni ta’ spazju, il-ħarsien tal-annimali irid ikun rispettat u li żżomm għasafar f’dawn il-kundizzjonijiet ħżiena m’hiex ħaġa sewwa. Meta l-ispazju ma jippermettix li jinżammu b’mod xieraq minħabba l-ammonti li jkunu involuti, l-għasafar konfiskati għandhom jew jinħelsu u jinżammu ritratti bħala evidenza jew inkella jinżammu f’guvi privati bi ħlas, u l-ispiża iħallas għaliha min jinqabad jikser il-liġi.”